Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase reportedly withdrew his name from consideration for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job. With the list of available coaches dwindling, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak now appear to be the leading candidates.
Gase, who was believed to be Cleveland's preferred successor to ex-coach Rob Chudzinski, reportedly declined to be interviewed by the Browns for their head coach vacancy.
"The leading candidate to become the Cleveland Browns' head coach, Gase called the team Tuesday morning to say he was withdrawing from consideration so he could fully concentrate on the Broncos' quest to win the Super Bowl, according to an NFL source," Mike Klis of the Denver Post wrote on Tuesday.
Although Gase has only one season under his belt as an offensive coordinator, his record-breaking work with quarterback Peyton Manning garnered attention from league executives.
In his first year with Gase, Manning put up career-best numbers in passing (5,477 yards) and touchdowns (55), both NFL single-season records. Gase, 35, worked as the Broncos' quarterbacks coach from 2011-12 before his promotion to coordinator in January 2013.
The perceived instability inside Cleveland's front office, according to reports, has made coaching there unappealing. The Browns fired Chudzinski after just one season, and Gase's agent reportedly feels Gase wouldn't be afforded the opportunity to grow into the job.
"The feeling in league circles is that Bob LaMonte, the agent for Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, might want to wait a year before placing his 35-year-old client in a head coaching position," Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote on Thursday. "...LaMonte is fairly certain that Gase will have multiple head coaching offers next season, with several attractive options.
"He'll also have some leverage if Gase receives multiple offers."
Cabot also noted two of LaMonte's clients - Broncos director of pro personnel Tom Heckert and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur - were fired by the Browns before.
With Gase apparently no longer an option, the Browns are eying Quinn. The 43-year-old defensive coordinator immediately "impressed" Cleveland's front office, but it's uncertain whether Quinn has any interest in leaving his Super Bowl-bound Seattle team.
Munchak has head coaching experience, which could put him on the short-list. Cleveland is also interviewed Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
